Model year record

1995 Kia Sportage

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 88 owner complaints on file.

Kia Sportage, 1995–2002 generation
Pictured: the 1995–2002 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V216000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
189,706
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-16
Owners notified
2002-12-20

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V073000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
1,319
Reported to NHTSA
1995-04-11
Owners notified
1995-04-24

Defect description

THE NUTS ATTACHING THE REAR AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINERS AND BRAKE BACKING PLATES TO THE REAR AXLE HOUSING MAY BE UNDER- TORQUED CAUSING THESE UNITS TO LOOSEN OR FALL OFF.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE (1) OIL LEAKAGE INTO THE REAR BRAKE AND ONTO THE BRAKE LININGS; (2) REAR BRAKE DAMAGE FROM THE AXLE NUTSFALLING INTO THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS; OR (3) SEPARATION OF THE REAR WHEEL/AXLESHAFT FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETORQUE THE REAR AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINER NUTS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5—
Electrical system: horn4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor4114,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage4—
Structure: body: door4—
Suspension: front4—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control3—
Visibility: windshield3—
Tires2—
Unknown or other2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: power window devices and controls2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling1109,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, other1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle hubs1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Steering1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: u-bolt, leaf spring to axle1—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Wheels1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Kia Sportage model years

All Kia Sportage recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.